The Dr. Phil Fox News Interview meme stems from an April 2020 appearance on Laura Ingraham's show, where the television personality argued against COVID-19 lockdowns. He sparked significant backlash and viral mockery by comparing virus-related deaths to fatalities from swimming pools, car accidents, and smoking—none of which are contagious. The template is widely used to highlight flawed logic, 'whataboutism,' or anytime someone offers an unqualified opinion with extreme confidence. It captures the specific aesthetic of a cable news remote interview while symbolizing the often-criticized arguments made during the height of the global pandemic.